The girls’ clear voices were like celestial music.
Countless petals fell down. The common people looked up, shouting and laughing. Children jumped trying to catch them. The street erupted in even greater clamor.
Chu Tang lifted her head and caught an apricot blossom in her hand, placing it by her temple with a radiant smile.
Being a hero felt truly wonderful.
……
……
The Emperor, important ministers, imperial clan members, and heroes gradually moved into the distance. The girls watched them off from afar, then gazed toward the city gate with somewhat regretful expressions.
“It’s a pity we didn’t see the Empress.”
The maids had already inquired on the street earlier—the Empress hadn’t returned and was currently in Zhongshan Commandery handling the aftermath. She would only return after finishing her work.
Miss Ning waved her hand grandly: “No matter. When the Empress returns, we’ll spend lavishly on a rain of flowers filling the sky to celebrate her.”
……
……
Entering the courier station, the street’s clamor was shut out.
Xiao Xun got out of the carriage and looked at this familiar place. The courier station he had previously massacred was now filled with officials again.
“Heir, please.” An official said coldly.
Several minor officials made no effort to hide their hatred. On that chaotic night, everyone at the courier station had been killed. Originally they thought it was the Third Prince’s people causing trouble, but at this moment it was crystal clear who the murderer was.
Xiao Xun paid no attention to the officials’ hostility. He walked past them with his attendants—only Tie Ying and Ning Kun.
As Xiao Xun entered, the courier station’s doors were locked layer by layer. Inside and out, two layers of soldier guards patrolled. Unauthorized persons were not permitted to approach.
Tie Ying looked at the cold and cheerless room. There wasn’t even hot water. He kicked over a bronze basin.
“Are they really treating Your Highness as a prisoner?” he cursed.
Xiao Xun sat down in a chair, completely indifferent to the dust on it, chuckling lightly: “Victors become kings, losers become bandits. What courtesy should bandits expect?”
Not mentioning this would have been fine, but bringing it up made Tie Ying’s eyes turn red. Originally it should have been the Heir making a grand entrance into the city! The Heir should have been enjoying the people’s cheers!
It shouldn’t have been stones and earth thrown at him, shouldn’t have been a tide of curses!
All because of!
Chu Zhao!
Chu Zhao used the Heir as a threat, forcing the Prince to withdraw his troops, failing at the last moment. Tie Ying gritted his teeth: “But rest assured, Heir, the Prince said that even so, no one in the capital can harm or humiliate the Heir!”
“I know.” Xiao Xun said with a smile. “Otherwise how could I sit here calmly? I’d have truly been thrown into a prison cell.”
He waved his hand as he spoke.
“Without servant girls, I’ll trouble you, Tie Ying, to go boil water so I can wash up.”
“In the past it was always me accompanying the Heir on travels. We never needed servant girls.” Tie Ying said. “I alone can ensure the young master eats and sleeps well.”
Having said this, he gripped his blade and stomped out.
Xiao Xun smiled: “Our Tie Ying truly fears neither hardship nor fatigue.”
Ning Kun said in a low voice beside him: “It’s because the Heir has a peaceful mindset and composed temperament.”
Xiao Xun leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily: “When I first entered the capital I was the Heir of Prince Zhongshan, and now entering the capital again I’m the Heir of Prince Zhenguo. This could be considered rising step by step—also a joyous occasion worth celebrating.”
Ning Kun said: “If the Heir can think this way, the Prince will be at ease.”
Xiao Xun looked at him and suddenly said: “However, there’s one matter I’d like you to help me investigate, Advisor Ning.”
Ning Kun quickly said: “Please speak, Heir.”
“How exactly did Chu Zhao negotiate with my father the Prince?” Xiao Xun said slowly, his hand resting on the table, drawing a mark through the dust, his eyes slightly downcast. “Besides threatening father with me, what other threats were there?”